Flowcrete announces an expanded range of HACCP International-certified products following the renewal of Flowfresh’s certification. The ultra-hygienic polyurethane flooring range Flowfresh has successfully achieved HACCP International certification for the second time, with Flowfresh Cove included in the accredited collection for the first time.

This latest certification comes just over a decade since the global resin flooring manufacturer Flowcrete Group first combined the silver-ion based antibacterial agent Polygiene with a robust polyurethane coating to create the go-to choice of flooring for the food and beverage industry. Most of the coatings in the Flowfresh range introduced a decade ago continue to provide hygienic, reliable and safe surfaces for large-scale food production and processing operations around the world.

Specifically developed to meet a demand in the food and beverage industry for a floor that would withstand the sector’s unique challenges, Flowfresh is proven to protect facilities for approximately 15 years after installation, providing food producers the assurance of long-term protection against the costs and concerns of a failing floor.

Flowfresh does involve a higher initial cost; however, opting for a cheaper alternative will only end up costing the company more money over time through more frequent failures.

This point was exemplified by a formula on lifecycle cost considerations devised by Flowcrete Group’s Technical Director, Grant Adamson. The equation takes the initial expense of a floor and adds to it, annual maintenance costs such as cleaning, repairs and upkeep as well as the price of replacing a failed floor, including the costs incurred by shutting down production.

Lifecycle Cost Considerations (LCC) Formula

LCC = C + MPW + RPW

The capital cost (C) of a project includes the initial capital expense for engineering, products and installation

Maintenance (M) is the sum of all yearly scheduled operation and maintenance associated with floor repairs

(R) is the replacement cost of a failed floor, including the financial impact of shutting down production

At 15 years, the longevity of polyurethane makes it one of the cheapest materials available. For example, on average a 1,000 sq. ft. polyurethane floor will cost approximately USD 11,000 over 15 years, whereas epoxies are typically USD 12-13,000, carpet costs USD 20,000 and vinyl flooring and linoleum can cost in excess of USD 25,000.

The cost of floor failure can be higher, especially if a food borne illness outbreak happens due to contaminant build-up in the gaps and cracks of a deteriorating floor.

Long Lasting Antibacterial Legacy

Flowfresh meets the strict standards of HACCP International, and its antibacterial property goes beyond even this industry guideline by having the capacity to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria in contact with the floor.

Polygiene’s unique, all-natural silver-ion technology is incorporated throughout the polyurethane matrix of Flowfresh in such a way that the floor will not lose any of its powerful bactericidal properties over an expected 15-year lifespan. Antibacterial treatments that rely on chemical coatings are prone to quick wear, increasing the risk of contamination.

The permanence of Flowfresh’s bacteria killing property was put to the test when it was analysed according to the ISO 22196 standard, which measures the efficacy of antibacterial-treated surfaces. As part of this test, samples of Flowfresh were hot washed and abraded multiple times, over and above the ISO 22196 requirements in an effort to recreate the reality of a floor in a food plant. Flowfresh more than proved that it was able to survive such conditions and maintain its superior hygiene credentials.